Career so far: Noussair Mazraoui

Those were the words of United sporting director Dan Ashworth, upon the on Tuesday evening.

The defender arrives at Old Trafford – alongside former Bayern team-mate  – on a contract until June 2028 and his previous winning experience means the 26-year-old is expected to be an important member of Erik ten Hag’s squad for the years to come.

So, how much do you know about Nous? Read on for a summary of the Morocco international’s story so far…

Born in the town of Leiderdorp, Netherlands, a young Mazraoui joined Ajax’s youth system in 2006 and spent a decade rising through the ranks, before representing de Godenzonen’s second team, Jong Ajax, where he was able to get quality minutes against professionals in the Dutch second tier.

Having continued to progress in that environment, his development was recognised by the then-head coach of the Amsterdam club, Erik ten Hag, who rewarded him with his first-team debut during an Eredivisie victory over NAC Breda in February 2018.

The full-back went from strength to strength and in his first full season as a member of the Dutchman’s squad, he followed in the footsteps of current United team-mates Christian Eriksen and De Ligt by winning the prestigious Ajax Talent of the Year award, as the club celebrated a domestic double by claiming both the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup crowns.

Over the course of 2018/19, Noussair netted four times, including twice in a young Ajax side’s mesmerising run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with important goals against Bayern Munich and Benfica that displayed his desire to contribute in the final third.

The defender – as Ashworth notes, adept with flanking both sides of defence – has become known for his ability to get forward in support of attacks and is also comfortable moving into central areas while his team is in possession, perhaps in part due to his time playing as a midfielder during his formative years.

Mazraoui bid farewell to the Johan Cruyff Arena in the summer of 2022, joining German giants Bayern with three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch Cup medals on his CV.

He added a Bundesliga trophy to that in his opening 12 months in Germany, netting his first goal for the Bavarians in a 6-0 thumping of Schalke, exactly a fortnight before he played his part in a dramatic final-day win away to Cologne, that secured the Meisterschale silverware.

Last season, the defender competed in the semi-finals of the Champions League once again, playing every minute of Bayern’s closely contested two-legged tie with eventual tournament winners Real Madrid. Nous finished the campaign with 55 total appearances for Bayern across his two years at the Allianz Arena, before he decided to make the move to Manchester.

Upon becoming a Red on Tuesday, Noussair said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt. I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.

“Erik ten Hag played an important part in my development as a player, so it is exciting to be reuniting with him as I enter the prime years of my career. I know what he expects from his players, and I will give everything to help the group be successful.”

On the international stage, Mazraoui plays for Morocco, a nation he is eligible to represent through his father.

Having played for the country as a youngster, he got his first senior call-up in 2018 and helped Morocco become the first-ever African nation to reach the last four of a FIFA World Cup in 2022, when he featured five times in the Atlas Lions’ run to the semi-finals of the Qatar tournament.

GET YOUR MAZRAOUI SHIRT

Noussair will wear the number three jersey for the Reds! Order yours now at United Direct.